I have been a long time subscriber to Threads magazine. I don’t have a sewing machine and don’t sew but I love clothes design since McCalls Magazine had cut out dolls — that was very long ago.
I miss the back of the magazine called details. It was like studying cook books and watching Food Network when you really cook nothing but Rachael Rae meals. Now it seems just like so much advertising.
Finally moving into a place of my own on my own and hoping to be able to hand stich some basic clothes as a hobby.
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Welcome aboard! I remember those Betsy McCall dolls as well and cut out many. You may want to consider eventually taking a tailoring class if you want to hand sew.You will find patterns are geared toward machine constuction and if you invest in a machine, albeit a very simple one, I think you will be glad you did in the long run. You will achieve so much more so much faster and of a more professional quality. You may also want to look into English smocking and heirloom sewing. A great deal of handwork is done to the garmnent usually before it is constructed on the machine. It is great "pikup" work and looks just gorgeous when finished. While primarily for children, there are many adult smocking patterns today. Good luck.
Thanks for all your comments. I do kind of get overwhelmed about all the fancy machines on the market. It's great to hear someone say a simple machine could be of use too. Your right, I probably would get discouraged if I did everything by hand.
Thanks for the push to think out of the box!
Though at the other end of the spectrum, coutoure dressmaking is done almost entirely by hand. And working by hand allows you to really work you fitting. I say go for it. The sewing machine you need will come along when you need it. In the meantime, while you are doing your handsewing, you can begin a wish-list of what features you would want in your ideal machine.
To all, these subjects are close to my heart! Being a good "materialist", it was my goal to purchase the "best" embroidery machine I could find.
Without going into too much detail, I purchased one several years ago. It has given me much pleasure and kept me out of lots of trouble, but the complexity and sensitivity of the machine was long overwelming.
Not only that but the very next year the company presented a new model, more expensive and more complicated. Since then, they have discontinued software, patterns, and parts for the model I bought. An updated machine is not an option since retirement and a big drop in funds no longer allow me to be so frivolous.
Hand work, fibers, and fabrics have been my life long passion and emotional security. So, it is back to the manageable arts of knitting, crocheting, sewing - via a less exotic machine - and by hand - and enjoying being the manager instead of being managed by a machine.
Doing by hand is much more fulfilling and enjoyable for me now.
MooMoo
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